Educational intervention improves cancer knowledge among community pharmacists

A recent study in Ghana has shown significant improvements of participants’ knowledge in all aspects of cancer among community pharmacists compared to the results of the preassessment study.

“Community pharmacists may play a vital role in early detection and prevention of cancer,” the researchers said. “Findings from our preassessment studies showed that the Ghanaian community have inadequate knowledge of cancer.”

In this descriptive, interventional study, the researchers examined the effect of a brief educational intervention on knowledge level of cancer among Ghanian community pharmacists. Specifically, they assessed the knowledge of cancer, signs and symptoms, risk factors, and cancer screening tests before in a preassessment study and after a brief online education in the current study.

A total of 435 community pharmacists participated in both studies. Participants showed improvements in total knowledge of cancer, with their scores increasing from a mean of 9.03 to 12.97 out of a maximum score of 15 points.

In terms of knowledge of signs and symptoms of cancer, the total mean score rose from 4.15 to 6.86 out of a maximum score of 7 points. For the knowledge of causes and risk factors of cancer, the total mean score increased from 8.13 to 11.59 out of a maximum score of 12 points.

Finally, participants’ knowledge of cancer screening tests also improved, with the total mean score increasing from 9.04 to 16.39 out of a maximum score of 18 points.

“Our study presents evidence of the effectiveness of a brief educational intervention tailor-made for Ghanaian community pharmacists,” the researchers said.